Journey Through the Past- Chapter 8
A/N: Slightly AU –story takes place sometime during season 8. All disclaimers apply. All mistakes are totally mine!
Catherine Willows stood with her arms folded as her three investigators, Nick Stokes, Greg Sanders, and Warrick Brown, stood around the layout table waiting for Undersheriff McKeen. A part of Catherine was glad that Grissom would not be underfoot as the rest of the team worked on this case. However, she felt somewhat hamstrung because of the fact that he wasn't underfoot. So much of Grissom's success in solving cases was his innate ability to see beyond the evidence.
As McKeen entered the layout room, the four investigators focused their attention on the undersheriff. Brass trailed in behind him and took a position next to Catherine. Anger was emanating off of Brass in waves, which caused Grissom's team to glance at one another before turning their attention back on the undersheriff. Noticing this, McKeen knew he would have to tread carefully. Grissom had trained his team well. Briefly making eye contact with each of them, he cleared his throat and began.
"For the time being, I have parked your supervisor in a safe house, both for his own safety and for the integrity of the case. Obviously Grissom is a valuable asset in capturing and putting this Lucas Mallory back where he belongs. To that end, Grissom will be set up with what he needs to see the evidence you have collected and will consult with you. He will have visual and audio hook-ups along with a laptop. The AV lab is getting the equipment together, and it will be set up in a short time. For obvious reasons, his involvement in the investigation has to be under the radar."
Pausing for a moment, McKeen let them absorb this bit of information and then continued. "Obviously the first priority is to get Sidle back safely. I am aware that you all are familiar with the case file on Lucas Mallory and know what kind of situation Sidle is most likely in. However, Grissom seems to feel that she is not in any immediate danger at this point. The concern here is that while Mallory has his focus on Grissom, it seems that he is also into other illegal activities as well. The fact that a member of the 5th Street Knights is mixed up in this probably means that Mallory has connections. As this case unfolds, Catherine, you are to keep me in the loop. That understood?"
Catherine nodded, relieved that Grissom would be available to the team, even if it was on a limited basis. She asked, "Where is this safe house? I understand Grissom not being in the lab, but being able to consult with him face-to-face will help us all in getting perspective and insights."
McKeen just shook his head. "Grissom is being held in an undisclosed location. The fewer who know where he is, the better it will be for all concerned. I know how close you all are, but trust me. I'm not only thinking about the case, but about his safety too. When he's settled and everything set up, he'll be in touch. He is chomping at the bit as much as all of you are. You guys have your work cut out for you. I expect to be getting timely updates as the evidence unfolds."
With that, the undersheriff turned on his heels and left the layout room.
Greg let out a loud sigh and shook his head. "This case is turning from strange to just plain weird. Grissom under wraps? The thought that Grissom would compromise the integrity of a case totally blows my mind. By the way McKeen was talking, you'd think that we couldn't be trusted."
"I tried to convince the undersheriff that a safe house was unnecessary. I know that McKeen is concerned about the department being compromised because of Gedda, but this team can be trusted," seethed an angry Brass who was not used to being kept in the dark.
Warrick nodded in agreement. "Something about this just feels wrong. Is there anyway we can talk to Grissom now? His cell phone has already been processed and was in his office. Do you think he has it with him?"
Catherine shook her head. "Apparently he was or will be issued a new one. I was just in his office and noticed that his meds and gym bag were gone. His cell phone and pager are still on his desk. We've been essentially cut off from him, and I'm a little uneasy about this whole set-up."
Taking a deep breath, she continued, "At any rate, we've got a job to do and a member of the team to find. Nick, check with Wendy about whether CODIS has kicked anything out on those DNA samples. Greg, work with Mandy on those fingerprints that were lifted from the crime scene. I know that most of them were partials, but may be something will show up. Warrick, you're with me. Let's see who holds the titles on those warehouses and if they have changed hands within the last year."
Brass drummed his fingers on the layout table as Nick and Greg left to check on their assignments. "I think it's time I do some old fashioned detective work and hit the streets. The gang unit may have some leads for me." Shaking his head, Brass left the room and headed out to the city of Las Vegas.
Grissom nervously paced the living room of the ranch-style home as he waited for the PD technician who would install the AV equipment. Though it had only been a day and a half since the incident at the warehouse, things seemed to be moving along to a slow crawl. Every minute seemed to stretch out to hours.
The house was a small two-bedroom number located in the northeast part of Las Vegas. It was a nondescript house in a nondescript neighborhood. The open layout of the house allowed the two officers assigned to protect Grissom to sit at the kitchen table playing cards and observe their charge at the same time as he restlessly roamed about the living room.
Glancing at his watch and then at his partner, Officer Carl Jenkins stood up and opened the cabinet where the medication for Grissom had been stored. He took out the prescribed drugs and put them on the counter. Reaching into the cupboard for a mug, Officer Jenkins crushed two tablets from his pocket in the cup and then quickly poured orange juice. Stirring the contents, he picked up the meds from the counter and then sauntered over to Grissom.
"Sir, I'm sure the technician will be here momentarily. The undersheriff was adamant that we make sure that you rest and follow doctor's orders."
Taking the medication and cup of orange juice from the officer, Grissom just smirked and muttered, "Thanks, but I don't need a nursemaid." Sighing, he swallowed the pills, gulped down the juice, and handed the cup back to Jenkins.
"Satisfied Officer Jenkins?" Grissom said glancing at the nametag of the officer.
Jenkins just smiled and took the cup back to the kitchen. Sighing, Grissom sat down on the leather sofa and rubbed his hand through his hair. Shutting his eyes, he tried to focus his thoughts as he held his head in his hands. His head was throbbing again, and the pain from his injuries was starting to intensify.
Jenkins nodded to his partner, Alex Hernandez, to indicate that Grissom had taken all that was given him. Both Jenkins and Hernandez sat down and waited for the drugs to take affect.
Nick Stokes examined the readout that Mandy had handed him and smiled. Finally, a possible break. He quickly walked down the halls of the crime lab in search of Catherine. In the layout room, both Catherine and Warrick were reading over various documents.
"Hey, I think we caught a break. Looks like one of our perps is one Ricardo Lopez, member of the 5th Street Knights and released from Folsom State Prison in California about 2 months ago for distribution and manslaughter. His DNA was found on the rock that had Sara's blood. In addition to that, we have Samuel J. Baker, released from Folsom State Prison 3 months ago, for aggravated assault. His DNA was found in the scrapings from Grissom's nails. Both men were from the same cell block as one Lucas Mallory," reported the tall Texan.
"Well, that gives us a start. Let's give their descriptions to Brass and see what else we've got going. According to what we pulled from county records, both warehouses belong to the same holding company, LH Development Company. My guess is that it is a front company for whatever Lucas Mallory in mixed up in. He seems to be the common link between the two warehouses," commented Catherine.
"The cross-reference I have here on the LH Development Company has a list of properties that the company holds title to. According to the readout, there are three other warehouses and two houses. I'll contact Brass and Sofia so we can check these places out," added Warrick.
"Okay, I need to check in with McKeen, and let him know what's going on. We also need to have Brass issue APB's on Baker and Lopez. Nicky, do we have the last known addresses for our suspects?" asked Catherine.
"Last known addresses were in Sacramento. I'll call Sacramento PD and see how long our guys have been AWOL," replied Nick.
Captain Jim Brass and two uniformed policeman cautiously approached the dilapidated house on the eastside of Las Vegas. The house had definitely seen better days. The windows had been boarded up and the yard was overgrown with weeds and covered in trash. Pulling out his weapon, the police detective signaled for one of the officers to quietly proceed around the back of the house. Looking over his shoulder, he let Catherine and Warrick know that they were to stay back until the building had been secured.
Standing to one side of the door, Brass banged against the door loudly and shouted, "Open up. Las Vegas PD." Waiting briefly, Brass nodded to the officer to break in the door. Officer Dodd nodded and took a step backward before lowering his shoulder against the rickety door. The door splintered open, and both Brass and Dodd cautiously entered the darkened interior of the building.
The dusty living room contained a ratty torn up sofa and little else. Making their way into the kitchen area, Brass took note of the remains of discarded wrappers from a MacDonald's. The veteran detective opened the door in the kitchen that led out to backyard of the house. Officer Dodd's partner, Ted Stanton, entered the kitchen, indicating that no one had exited out the back.
Brass signaled to both Dodd and Stanton to continue clearing the house, and then made his way to the front door, to report to the waiting CSI's.
"Looks like whoever was here left in a hurry," Jim commented. "It hasn't been long since they've left. The footprints on the floor appear to have been made recently, and the remains from their last meal look fresh. I put in a call to have Nick and Greg help you process this site. Sofia reported that there was nothing probative at the house in Henderson."
Nodding, Catherine slid on latex gloves as she and Warrick did a quick walkthrough the house. The back bedroom had a single mattress on the floor. Other than a few chairs, the broken-down sofa, and a bed in the second bedroom, the house was devoid of any furniture. Meticulously, they began the painstaking process of gathering evidence.
Sara felt like she was swimming through Vaseline. Her arms and legs were lead weights as she fought her way to consciousness. Sara felt the cool stone floor against her face as she attempted to open her heavy eyelids. The room was unusually cool, almost chilly. She shivered involuntarily, and opened her eyes, but the pitch black darkness of the room revealed little of the room she was in. Realizing that her hands were no longer bound, slowly Sara sat up, holding the side of her head. Her lip felt swollen and the left side of her face was tender.
As her mind began to clear, she slowly remembered the events that brought her to current predicament. She wondered how long she had been out, as images flashed through her mind.
On her knees with her hands still bound behind her, Sara listened to Mallory as he shared tidbits of the plans he had for Grissom. His gleeful description of Grissom's breakdown when he discovered the bodies of Rachel and Scott broke Sara's heart. She knew how deeply their deaths cut him and how he had kept those scars deeply buried within himself. It had taken months of patience and understanding on Sara's part to get Grissom to open up about his past. Cases that involved the death of children or the abuse of women seem to bring those wounds to the surface. It was only when they were alone that Grissom would lose some of that carefully crafted self-control. She knew that Grissom felt responsible, and there were times when that guilt seemed to consume him. Listening to Mallory's taunts angered her beyond belief and sickened her with worry for Grissom at the same time.
It was then that Sara lost control of the anger bubbling inside of her. She simply could not listen to this twisted lunatic any longer. Sara erupted to her feet despite having her hands bound behind her. Sara screamed in anger, lowered her head, and charged Mallory with all her strength. Catching him off guard, the impact sent both of them crashing into the wall behind him. She viciously tried to kick and bite him. Strong arms lifted her up as she continued to twist and kick. Sam had her wrapped up his arms, making it impossible for her to inflict further damage on her captor. Mallory stood up, wiping the blood from his mouth where Sara's head had connected.
"So Grissom's woman has some spunk," he sneered. Mallory took a step forward and slapped her across the face so hard, her head snapped back and blood flowed freely from her lip and nose. "You've earned this little treat. I saved this for Grissom, but I'm thinking that you should have a little taste of what I have in store for him."
Turning to Sam, Mallory ordered him to get Sara back down on her knees and to hold her there. With his knee putting pressure on her back, Sam pushed her head down so that her forehead was touching her knees. Sara felt a sharp sting as a hypodermic needle pierced her neck. Immediately, haziness descended upon her, and the world seemed to move in slow motion. She tried to focus on what was happening around her, but her world was starting to whirl out of control. A feeling of panic overwhelmed her, and Sara gasped out loud as the room started to tilt at an impossible angle. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to block out all the sensations that were assaulting her. She seemed to be spinning into a vortex, and was totally enveloped in confusion and panic.
In the cool darkness of her new location, Sara felt herself on edge. Her nerve endings seemed to be firing off all at once, sending small sparks of pain shooting up and down her body. She flopped down on her back, trying to calm herself with deep breaths. Not being able to see anything added to Sara's anxiousness. Gazing up through the blackness, she noticed a small blinking red light far above her. An infrared camera had been mounted in the top corner of the cell-like room she was in, and Sara had no doubt that soon she would have visitors now that they could see she was awake and moving about.
Gingerly moving her hands about, Sara realized that she was no longer in the jeans and shirt that she had worn to the warehouse. Instead, she was clothed in soft sweats and was barefoot. Rolling over on her hands and knees, Sara slowly stood up and held her hands out in front of her. She took small steps forward until she could touch a wall. Feeling along the walls, Sara was able to figure out that she was in a fifteen by twenty foot cell-like room. She felt for an entrance and found a metal door set in the smooth stone wall. The door was solid without a handle on the inside and a 2 inch horizontal slot set halfway up the door. Opposite the door was a toilet and sink, and she gratefully used the facility. Turning the water on in the sink, she splashed water on her face and cupped her hands to drink some of the tepid water.
Sighing, she felt her way to the corner of the room underneath where the camera was mounted. Sinking down into the corner, Sara rested and tried to gather her courage. She had no idea whether it was day or night. Nor did she have any idea how long she had been in this cell. There was nothing to do but wait and try not to let the panic that was rising overwhelm her.
I'm not totally happy with this chapter. I know where I want to take this story. It's just getting there is the problem. Thanks to all who have reviewed. The reviews have kept me going.